I hope my cab isn't in trouble...

Rumblefisher · #1 12-19-2010, 09:22 PM

I got a new cab about a month ago, and haven't really had the chance to test it out all that much. Initially it seemed fine. About 2 weeks ago, the sound started going a bit fuzzy and then cut out. I shut everything down and started it back up later on...same thing. Sounds ok, then a little fuzzy, then it cuts out all together.

At first I thought it was the amp...but I tried another head yesterday, and same result. So now it's either the bass or the cabinet...the bass is active, I replaced the battery, but still same result. OK for a few minutes, then distorted sound then off.

Does this sound like a cabinet problem or a solder joint in the bass or...I don't know. I really hope it's not the cab, I JUST got it back from LDS and don't want to put them through any more trouble. At the same time I don't want malfunctioning gear...

Thanks for your help TB, I'm happy to give any more necessary info to at least get an idea of the answer.

m.oreilly · #2 12-19-2010, 09:25 PM

what are you powering the cab with?

Rumblefisher · #3 12-19-2010, 09:29 PM

First was my Thunderchief, then I tried a Walkabout, then a Markbass... all the same result.

EDIT: and all with the same bass. I don't have another one to test.

audiomitch · #4 12-19-2010, 09:59 PM

Borrow a passive bass. Or borrow any other bass.

Rumblefisher · #5 12-19-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomitch

Borrow a passive bass. Or borrow any other bass.

Yup. Agreed. That's the best course of action, but just from the description of the sequence of sounds, the problem can't be estimated?

m.oreilly · #6 12-19-2010, 10:07 PM

which cab are you running?

Rumblefisher · #7 12-19-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.oreilly

which cab are you running?

15/6 LDS cab

EDIT: Does that help? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!

Rick Auricchio · #8 12-19-2010, 10:18 PM

Try another speaker cable and borrow a bass to test.

dukeisdog · #9 12-19-2010, 10:22 PM

Turn the volume way down on your bass, and try cranking the volume on the amp. Is the problem still there?

Nighttrain1127 · #10 12-19-2010, 10:33 PM

Sometimes a battery will go close enough to dead just sitting to cause that problem. Buy a fresh battery and see if that works .

Pilgrim · #11 12-19-2010, 10:35 PM

Good thoughts on swapping the cable - and trying another bass. Also, remember that any battery can be bad - good idea to try another.

audiomitch · #12 12-19-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFclef

Yup. Agreed. That's the best course of action, but just from the description of the sequence of sounds, the problem can't be estimated?

The two constants are your bass and your cab, right? I think you've eliminated the head?

Anyhow, this sounds like a preamp dying to me. If you've swapped the batteries and it's doing the exact same thing, it may be the onboard electronics in your bass. It could even be the leads to your battery clip getting funky.

I suppose it's possible it's your cab, but if all the speakers are dying at once and then coming back to life? Hmmm.... From what you said in your post I'd bet it was the bass.

Can you borrow anything else? A guitar? Hook up an iPod to your head? Anything?

mntngrown · #13 12-19-2010, 10:58 PM

The cab should be a pretty static element in the chain, although BFM or other audio engineers might correct me on this. It should not sound good then go bad later, but I suppose a crossover component might warm up then malfunction. I guess it's the bass. try the borrow bass idea or jerry rig a way to run an ipod or cd or other source into your amp then into the cab and crank up a good bassy music selection. If it stays constant it's prob the bass.

mntngrown · #14 12-19-2010, 11:00 PM

audiomitch beat me to it

m.oreilly · #15 12-19-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

...but I suppose a crossover component might warm up then malfunction...

this had me wondering...

Rumblefisher · #16 12-19-2010, 11:22 PM

Wow thanks everyone. Yes, I've switched the battery, but same problem. Seems like the 1st thing to do is get another bass to test!! That comment about the xover might have some merit to it as well...

Growly Lytes · #17 12-19-2010, 11:56 PM

Some of the advice has been great here.If i was to bet on it......it would be the Basses internal preamp.

greenboy · #18 12-20-2010, 09:02 AM

If you yourself do not have enough elements to do hands-on troubleshooting, surely someone you know has amps/heads, basses, cables, etc. Simply replace each item in a signal chain one at a time with a known entity and it quickly becomes apparent what's what.

craig.p · #19 12-20-2010, 09:46 AM

You said, "The sound started going a bit fuzzy and then cut out."

Does this happen after the same amount of time when you're playing only at a low volume?

Rumblefisher · #20 12-20-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

You said, "The sound started going a bit fuzzy and then cut out."

Does this happen after the same amount of time when you're playing only at a low volume?

Low volume, high volume...doesn't really seem to matter. The process also has quickened...it used to be 10 minutes, now it's only 30 seconds.